February 25 2015

Cure Your Winter Blues By Eating Like an Icelander

Iceland’s high fish consumption has positive mood-stabilizing and anti-depression effects.

Feeling the winter blues? Try eating like an Icelander.

Although Iceland is known for its extremely dark winters, Icelandic people have virtually no seasonal affective disorder. According to the Washington Post, scientists have pinned this on the fact that Icelanders have one of the highest per-capita fish consumptions of any population - more than quadruple that of Americans. “That means they are getting a lot of omega-3 fats, which have a critical role in brain health and documented mood-stabilizing and anti-depression effects,” columnist Ellie Krieger reports.

Fish is also the number one food source of vitamin D, the same nutrient our bodies create when exposed to sunshine. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to depression and seasonal affective disorder, another reason why eating fish can improve our mood.

Eating like an Icelander may have positive effects that go beyond preventing seasonal affective disorder. As Food & Wine writes, “Icelanders are among the planet's healthiest, happiest people. Their incredibly pure diet could be the secret.” Icelandic cuisine is known for its fresh ingredients and healthy preparation methods, and the country is frequently recognized with culinary awards.